Every two years, the New York League of Conservation Voters Long Island Chapter works closely with local advocates to develop a policy agenda. This Blueprint for a Greener Long Island provides specific actions government officials can take to fight climate change, conserve our land and water, and protect public health.
Climate change is not only transforming our world, it’s transforming Long Island. Recent severe storms destroyed our infrastructure, damaged our neighborhoods, and changed our landscape. We must become more resilient to the next storm, but we must also work to mitigate the long-term effects of a changing climate by promoting renewable energy, building efficiency, sustainable transportation, and better solid waste management.
Long Island boasts vibrant natural resources, from national and state parks to renowned beaches and waterways, like the Long Island Sound and Peconic Bay. Yet they are being threatened by development, pollution, and chronic underfunding. We must safeguard and restore them for the next generation.
Finally, we must make sure that we take steps to protect public health. Every Long Islander deserves access to clean air, well-maintained parks for recreation, fresh food from local farms, and protection from toxic chemicals.
Finally, we must make sure that we take steps to protect public health. Every Long Islander deserves access to clean air, well-maintained parks for recreation, fresh food from local farms, and protection from toxic chemicals.
Renewable Energy: Renewable energy can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution across Long Island, but it is challenging to site large-scale renewable energy installations and can be needlessly difficult to install small-scale renewable technology. We will work with municipal and county governments to establish guidelines for siting utility-scale renewable energy and to reduce red tape and create new incentives for small-scale renewable energy.
Improve Water Quality: Protecting Long Island’s sole-source aquifer is one of the most important challenges facing the region. While recent legislation and financial commitments from State and local governments are moving us in the right direction, there is still much work to be done.
Electric Vehicles: Electric Vehicles (EVs) reduce greenhouse gas emissions and emit zero particulate matter, improving air quality. Increasing the amount of easy-to-access charging stations will encourage more drivers to switch to EVs. Local governments can also spur EV adoption by purchasing them for municipal fleets and encouraging the use of electric school buses. We will work with county and local governments on Long Island to advance policies that will put more EVs on the road.
Download a PDF of the blueprint here.